Several vehicles gutted in Noman Centre basement fire

A fire broke out in the basement of the Noman Centre in the Saddar area on Tuesday. The blaze began in the meter room of the building, resulting in the destruction of several vehicles, including cars, a rickshaw, and a motorcycle parked in the basement.

The fire brigade arrived promptly and initiated firefighting efforts, though their work was hampered by heavy smoke. Shopkeepers reported that the fire originated from one of the meters in the room, quickly spreading and engulfing the entire basement before reaching the nearby vehicles.

Witnesses said that the fire brigade was quickly notified, allowing firefighters to manage the situation. However, the thick black smoke posed a significant challenge, affecting not only the market but also surrounding neighbourhoods due to inadequate ventilation.

As a precaution, the road from the Parking Plaza to Regal Chowk was closed, causing severe traffic congestion around the Empress Market and nearby areas. Traffic police were deployed to manage diversions.

According to Rescue 1122, the fire destroyed two cars, a rickshaw, and a motorcycle. After extinguishing the flames, firefighters were conducting cooling efforts inside the building, utilising large exhaust fans to clear the smoke.